Subject: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

To: (Recipient list suppressed)

(aka "I spoke too soon")

(details edited) let me just say that 48 hours is not long enough in the Big Easy.

I'd also like to say that clearly our e-mails are being monitored... after three relatively uneventful flights (to and from Indy, and to NO) I hit the mother load.

My **** meeting ended early (11:15 instead of 12:30) so I hightailed it to the airport. I considered doing curbside check-in but then thought that mightn't be a great idea. So I stood, for about an hour, waiting to check in at the USAir counter. When I got there, I asked the agent if it was at all possible to get onto the 1:30 direct flight to New York - the one I was on was a 3:15 to Charlotte, then later to NY. He clicked at the computer for a few seconds and then told me that there was one seat left -- ALL MINE. I was thrilled. However, I suppose that sent some message down the lines because the next thing I knew I had to take my checked luggage to another counter to be searched. I'm standing there getting more and more worried that my flight would board without me, but we unpacked and repacked and then... off to the gate.

When I got to the security check, I had to remove my laptop from the carrier and turn it on. My watch, bra strap and earrings made the handwand go "beep". My shoes got checked (thank you Mom for drilling it into me to NEVER GO ANYWHERE IN LESS THAN PERFECT UNDERWEAR - which includes socks). My keychain excited interest. They didn't check the cell phone or my Walkman, but they did open my folders to see that there were no nail files or other sharp objects inside. And, before I forget, my usual luck in these matters held... I had a trainee doing all the swiping, swabbing, etc.

Then I raced to the gate, where they had just started the boarding procedures. Too late to grab something to eat, but fine. I can last until I get home. I hand over my boarding pass and the next thing I know the people doing security at the gate have asked me if I would mind opening my bags "as a courtesy" -- HAH! If I'd said "yes, I very much mind" you know I wouldn't have been on the flight. Again I had to turn on my laptop and prove that my keychain wasn't a weapon and show off my wonderful socks, etc.

But I got on. And got home by 6, instead of 10.

So, if the FBI or CIA or whomever else want to read this are reading... you got me. Sorry I griped about the lax security before. Really.